adventures with sticks and string

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Yikes! It has been so long since I have posted on here. To say that life caught up with me would be a drastic understatement. The lack of posting has been a combination of not having time to think about it and having a writing heavy semester (meaning no time for knit-reading). I have really finished very few things over this past few months and I feel weird about progress posts.

Anyway, I have two new project to show you and I am so excited about them both. The first is a perfect tie for my man. I had some pastel Koigu left over from a pair of socks and decided that it would be perfect for an Easter tie. I bought some charcoal grey to go with it an set off with my own take on this double-sided-stripe colorwork. This is the second attempt at this pattern and I am getting more confident in the shape of the neck tie every time. You can see the first iteration here.

I don’t know why but I have a little bit of an obsession with neckties. I always have loved them and I am so happy to have a man that love a good handknit one. There will probably be more to come.

The second project is my laceweight Lavina! So perfect for spring. I can’t even tell it’s wool when its warm outside. The lace is so airy and light. I knit this up in Madeline Tosh Prairie on size 2 needles. I knit the size 34 to accommodate my smaller gauge. I was unsure as I went about how much I would like it. After blocking however, I fell in love.

One of the very best things about this sweater is that I can dress it up so much and it looks delightful. The velvet skirt I am wearing there used to be my senior prom dress, an 80’s steal I found for $15. I chopped off the halter and sewed the top down to make a high-waisted skirt. It also looks good with the weathered jeans I slipped on afterwards for a visit with a newborn friend of mine. There will be many baby knits in the future.

We were dressed for church here but I think we will be ready for any fancy event that comes our way.

It has been immensely cold in New York for the past month or so. When the cold first hit I was using a pair of store bought smart wool gloves. They worked pretty well but alas, the temperature soon dipped into the single digits and the flimsy store bought gloves were not cutting it. Frantically searching for something warmer and wishing I was a super knitter, I found these (unfinished) in my basket of knits. I remember knitting them a few years ago with some Cascade 220 held together with bits and pieces of leftover sock yarn. I was going for obnoxious and I think I succeeded. My favorite is the pink/orange colorway just below the top blue stripe, some yarn that was left over from some 70’s inspired socks for my mom.
In my frantic 15 minutes that I had until I had to run out the door I cinched the mittens closed without decreasing leaving a large hole in the top. Impractical for the warm weather but I can stick my finger out to use my phone!
I also neglected to weave any of the ends in. If I cared I would spend some time fixing them but I have to admit that I love the imperfections and unfinished nature of these mittens. Because I would never gift something to someone in a state like this, I know these are only for me. I also have to admit that the ends are fun to play with when I am bored waiting in endless NYC lines.
I think I am going to be forced to do a little maintenance on these soon because I recently found a stitch that I dropped. Hahaha, oh dear! I am little embarrassed that I am sharing these with you but they honestly might be one of my favorite knitted objects. In any case, they keep my poor hands warm. Do you guys have any unfinished knits that you love?

I had a fun delivery in the mail the other day. Yarn from Untangling Knots. Awhile back I won a giveaway on her blog. Thanks Andi!

A rainbow of Quince and Co. Chickadee. I’m very excited because I’ve never knit with Quince and Co. yarns before. I have heard such good things and I’m excited to cast on. It feels so nice and squishy, a new favorite yarn characteristic.

This little beauty marks the end of my Christmas knitting and I couldn’t be happier. Remember my Saturday deadline for the sweater? I met it and JB was able to wear this on Sunday. When he put it on for the first time I couldn’t stop giggling. Not sure why but I like to believe that it’s because I was just so giddy to have finally finished it. It might also be the fact that he just looks so darn good in it. Am I right?

The yarn is Valley Yarns Buckland. It’s a chain plied worsted weight yarn. A wool, silk, and nylon blend. When it came in the mail I was a little disappointed and when I swatched I was even more disappointed. Let me tell you though, I am glad I stuck with it because after blocking this yarn is a beauty! So soft, substantial and sturdy. It really took to the cables well an the chain plying adds a bit of texture to the stockinette. JB says it has a texture much like tree bark. Whatever it feels like, it does feel delightful. It’s going to be hard to keep my hands off this guy when he wears the sweater.

I forgot to get a closeup of the finished sweater but I was able to find some brass sailboat buttons (JB’s request). After searching online for several months, I took a trip to the garment district resigned to find some plain wood buttons at Lulu’s Button Shop (a great little gem). I jokingly asked if the owner had any sailboat buttons and to my surprise he had about four different styles! The perfect addition to a sweater fit for a sailing instructor. If I ever have to move from NYC I will definitely miss the plethora of fine crafting supplies at my disposal. For now, I will just be happy.

I also have to say that the pattern (Bespoken) is simply wonderful! It’s Knitthehellout’s first men’s sweater pattern and I won it in a giveaway. Thanks Cassi! It’s well written, easy to follow and seriously beautiful. The fit is amazing and I didn’t have to change much besides adding a few inches to the body and sleeves. The one other modification I made was adding a cable down the sleeves. JB has been drooling over cabled sweaters lately and I had to humor him. I think they add something nice though.

JB says he feels like he’s in Narnia when he wears this. A compliment to be sure! Whew! After all these gift knits I am feeling a little neglected. I’ll be casting on a selfish treasure tonight. A post will come soon.

Yikes! We have another cold snap here in NYC. There is nothing above freezing in the whole 10-day forecast. I am freezing and have given up my half-marathon training in favor of tea, knitting, and school books. Yay for new semesters! Boo for a sedentary life!

The cold snap has spurred a series of texts like this from the boyfriend.

The sweater he is referring to is the Bespoken that I have on the needles for him. It’s a belated Christmas present and I’m hoping to be done by Saturday. Luckily all of my staying in has been fruitful knitting time because I finished all the pieces and set them to block this morning! Below is a picture of the sleeves. I added a cable panel up the center at JB’s request.

I’m hoping to do the seaming and cast on for the collar tonight. For now it’s back to school reading. Hopefully I’ll have a FO soon!